Presidential first pitches

April 5, 2010 1:00 AM

Photo: George Widman/AP

Image 1of/25

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 25

PRESIDENTIAL FIRST PITCHES

Wearing a Washington Nationals jacket and a Chicago White Sox hat, President Barack Obama marked a 100-year tradition by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. less

PRESIDENTIAL FIRST PITCHES

Wearing a Washington Nationals jacket and a Chicago White Sox hat, President Barack Obama marked a 100-year tradition by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington ... more

US President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch of Game 3 of the World Series in New York's Yankee Stadium 30 October, 2001. The Arizona Diamondbacks lead the New York Yankees 2-0 in the series.

US President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch of Game 3 of the World Series in New York's Yankee Stadium 30 October, 2001. The Arizona Diamondbacks lead the New York Yankees 2-0 in the series.

Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY, Getty Images

US President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch of... Photo-8610391.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 3 of 25

President John F. Kennedy throws out the first pitch in 1962.

President John F. Kennedy throws out the first pitch in 1962.

Photo: AP

President John F. Kennedy throws out the first pitch in 1962. Photo-1267173.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 4 of 25

One hundred years ago this month, President William Howard Taft started a baseball tradition by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to pitcher Walter Johnson at the Washington season opener.

One hundred years ago this month, President William Howard Taft started a baseball tradition by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to pitcher Walter Johnson at the Washington season opener.

Photo: AP

One hundred years ago this month, President William Howard Taft... Photo-1267174.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 5 of 25

President Woodrow Wilson threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Senators game in 1916.

President Woodrow Wilson threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Senators game in 1916.

Photo: AP

President Woodrow Wilson threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a... Photo-1267175.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 6 of 25

President Warren G. Harding throws out the first pitch to open the Washington Senators' baseball season in 1921.

President Warren G. Harding throws out the first pitch to open the Washington Senators' baseball season in 1921.

Photo: AP

President Warren G. Harding throws out the first pitch to open the... Photo-1267176.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 7 of 25

President Calvin Coolidge throws the first pitch before a game in 1928.

President Calvin Coolidge throws the first pitch before a game in 1928.

Photo: AP

President Calvin Coolidge throws the first pitch before a game in... Photo-1267177.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 8 of 25

President Herbert Hoover throws out the ceremonial first pitch in this undated photo in the early 1930s.

President Herbert Hoover throws out the ceremonial first pitch in this undated photo in the early 1930s.

Photo: Getty Images

President Herbert Hoover throws out the ceremonial first pitch in... Photo-1267178.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 9 of 25

President Franklin D. Roosevelt threw out a record eight Opening-Day pitches.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt threw out a record eight Opening-Day pitches.

Photo: AP

President Franklin D. Roosevelt threw out a record eight... Photo-1267179.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 10 of 25

In 1950, President Harry Truman threw out two ceremonial pitches — one from each hand.

In 1950, President Harry Truman threw out two ceremonial pitches — one from each hand.

Photo: William J. Smith, AP

In 1950, President Harry Truman threw out two ceremonial pitches... Photo-1267180.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 11 of 25

President Dwight Eisenhower throws out the ceremonial first pitch to open the 1960 season.

President Dwight Eisenhower throws out the ceremonial first pitch to open the 1960 season.

Photo: AP

President Dwight Eisenhower throws out the ceremonial first pitch... Photo-1267181.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 12 of 25

President John F. Kennedy makes the throw to open the baseball season at Griffith Stadium in 1961.

President John F. Kennedy makes the throw to open the baseball season at Griffith Stadium in 1961.

Photo: AP

President John F. Kennedy makes the throw to open the baseball... Photo-1267182.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 13 of 25

President Lyndon B. Johnson throws out the first pitch at the Washington Senators' game to open the 1964 season.

President Lyndon B. Johnson throws out the first pitch at the Washington Senators' game to open the 1964 season.

Photo: AP

President Lyndon B. Johnson throws out the first pitch at the... Photo-1267183.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 14 of 25

President Richard M. Nixon throws out the ceremonial first pitch in Washington as baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, second from left, and Washington Senators manager Ted Williams, and others, look on.

President Richard M. Nixon throws out the ceremonial first pitch in Washington as baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, second from left, and Washington Senators manager Ted Williams, and others, look on.

President Bill Clinton throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the Orioles' season opener against the Kansas City Royals in 1996.

President Bill Clinton throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the Orioles' season opener against the Kansas City Royals in 1996.

Photo: David Hammond, AP

President Bill Clinton throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the... Photo-1267191.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 22 of 25

President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch at Busch Stadium in 2004.

President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch at Busch Stadium in 2004.

Photo: PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS, AP

President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch at Busch... Photo-1267192.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 23 of 25

After a 33-year absence, baseball returned to Washington in 2005 and President George W. Bush resumed the tradition by throwing out the first pitch for the Nationals.

After a 33-year absence, baseball returned to Washington in 2005 and President George W. Bush resumed the tradition by throwing out the first pitch for the Nationals.

Photo: Lawrence Jackson, AP

After a 33-year absence, baseball returned to Washington in 2005... Photo-1267193.18916 - NewsTimes

Image 24 of 25

It wasn't Opening Day, but President Barack Obama made his debut at the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis. St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols prevented the short hop by moving up to scoop the low pitch inches from the ground. less

It wasn't Opening Day, but President Barack Obama made his debut at the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis. St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols prevented the short hop by moving up to scoop the low pitch inches ... more

Photo: Haraz N. Ghanbari, AP

It wasn't Opening Day, but President Barack Obama made his... Photo-1267194.18916 - NewsTimes